Method of treating melted matters



y 1940- G. AQRUBISSOW METHOD OF TREATING MELTED MATTERS Filed Aug. 31,1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOK July 16, .1940. s. A. RUBISSQW METHOD OFTREATING MELTED MATTERS Filed Aug. 31, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NQENTOKJuly 16,1940. G. A. RUBISSOW METHOD 0F TREATING MELTED MATTERS FiledAug. 31, I958 SheetJs-SheetS y 1940. G. A. RUBISSOW 30 METHOD OFTREATING MELTED MATTERS Filed Aug. 31, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 \MJENTOKPatented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George A. Rubissow,New York, N. Y. I

' Application August 31, 1938, Serial No. 228,952 In Great BritainDecember 3, 1938 8' Claims.

The present invention relates to the production of solid bodies andmaterials, which are solid at room temperature and fusible (melt) underthe influence of heat. It is more especially, al-

though not exclusively, concerned with the treatment of metals andmetallic alloys, but it applies also to the treatment of glass, stone,condensation products and the like.

It has already been suggested to subject such substances, when in themolten state, to a centrifugal treatment. But the results obtained bythese methods were far from satisfactory, although advantages wereobtained, especially as regards the fllling of moulds and theelimination of bubbles.

The principle of mounting an electric furnace for die casting on an armextending at right angles from. a vertical shaft rotated by a motor isalready known. Another principle which is ing a mould about itslongitudinal axis at a peripheral speed of from 1200 to 2500 or evenmore feet per minute for from 2 to 15 minutes.

2 A third known principle involves the manufacture of hollow shapes fromsolutions of phenol and formaldehyde (not under the influence of heat)by rotating the mould about its longitudinal axis at a speed of 2000 to3000 revolutions per minute.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method forproducing materials which have better structural properties than it ihas been possible to give them up to now for a given composition.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side view partly in cross section of one of theapparatuses used for the application of the method.

40 Figure 2 is a top plan view partly in horizontal section of Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 represent side cross sectional views of thecontainer in which molds with the material to be treated are placed.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a mould for the manufacture ofcrank shafts.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus-lever andcontainer-for producing precious stones.

00 Figure 11 is a top plan view partly in cross section of a containerfor producing optical lenses.

Figure 12 is a side cross sectional view of Fig 55 ure 11.

known involves the moulding of hollow articles of concrete (not inmolten condition) by rotat- Figure '13 is a. plan view of half of apropeller mold.

. Figure 14 is a cross section of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a broken-out part of the mold and of thewhole propeller.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a schematical diagram of Pie! in relation to therevolution.

Figure 18 is a side cross sectional view of a container and mold formanufacturing cylinders.

Figure 19 is a cross sectional plan view of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a top plan view of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional plan view of a container and mold fortwin cylinders in line.

Figure 22 is a cross sectional view of a container and mold including amold for manufacturing pistons.

Figure 23' is a cross sectional view of Figure 22.

The present invention relates to a method of treating and manufacturingsolid fusible materials of the character referred to by subjecting themto the influence of centrifugal force, and this method is characterisedby the fact that the material, which has been melted in any suitablemanner, is subjected whilst in the molten state to the influence ofcentrifugal force by rotating the crucible, mould or the like in whichthe material is contained, about an axis which is substantially at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the mould or the like during itsrotation, the material being subjected to the influence of centrifugalforce for a period of time equal to at least five seconds for a radialthickness of 1 cm. of the material under treatment, to be increasedsubstantially in proportion of the radial thickness, the centrifugalforce being capable of creating in the interior of the material at adistance of 1 cm. from the inner surface thereof, a pressure which isnot less than one-fourth the specific gravity of the material in kg./cm.The material then continues to be subjected without interruption to theinfluence of centrifugal force until it at least commences to solidify,that is to say, just have acquired the plastic condition.

Advantag'eously, according to my invention, the centrifugal treatment iscontinued during the whole or a part of the solidification of the moltenmass of material treated, and even after the end of said solidification,reaching the normal room temperature for additional cooling and ageingpurposes.

According to my invention, the centrifugal treatment may be continuedfor the whole of the I its usual manner (without the centrifugaltreatment), or immediately subjected to a mechanical treatment, and inthe second or third cases used as it is, or annealed in a known waybefore being subjected to a, mechanical treatment. According to stillanother feature of the present invention, the matter subjected to thecentrifugal treatment is, during the whole or a part of the time ofsolidification thereof, subjected to the action of vibrations.

Preferably, according to my invention, the melted matter is treated in asuitable mould, or the like, having as a rule a longitudinal axis ofsymmetry and the axis of revolution about which the centrifugaltreatment is effected is at right angles to said axis of symmetry ormakes a substantial angle therewith.

In some cases, according to my invention, I

modify this angle during the treatment.

Other features of the present invention will result from the followingdetailed description and examples thereof.

A method of centrifugal treatment using a crucible, mould or the like,which is carried at.

the end of an arm keyed radially to a shaft driven directly orindirectly by a suitable motor; the arm may be balanced by acounterweight. Instead of arranging a single arm on the shaft a numberof such arms may be provided and a crucible or the like carried at theend of each arm, in which case the various crucibles counterbalance oneanother so that counterweights are unnecessary. Instead of arrangingcrucibles or the like at the end of arms, a number of arms may formspokes which are connected together at their outer ends by a frame inthe form of a rim, on which there are mounted, preferably at equallyspaced distances, a number of crucibles and the like. be of any suitablelength.

Whilst it is preferred to' arrange the arm or other rotary member in ahorizontal position, it

will be understood that this arm may be arranged to rotate in a verticalplane or in a plane arranged at any suitable angle to the horizontal.

Preferably the shaft is arranged vertically and the crucibles or thelike are pivotally suspended with their filling openings at the top, thearrangement being such that the center of gravity of the crucible withits charge will be below the pivotal axis. As a result of the rotationof the shaft, the crucibles or the like will gradually move from avertical into a horizontal position as the speed of the shaft increases,and, as a result of this rotation, the molten charge in the crucibles orthe like is subjected to the ICE, influence of the centrifugal force,whereby the charge in the crucible or the like is compressed and formedinto a compact mass.

It will sometimes be advisable that a pivoted casing be attached to theouter end of the arm, into which casing all containers with the moltenmass, such as crucibles, or the like are placed and submitted to theICF.

Heating of the solids, under treatment, if re- The arm or arms may,

quired, may be effected by any suitable means, preferably electricallyor by gas burners.

In the case of electrical heating the resistance wires may be arrangedin the wall of the crucible or the like and connected by wires passingalong the arms to slip rings provided on the shaft. Another method ofelectric heating may consist in connecting one of the wires to themolten mass, when this is an electrical conductor, whilst the other wireprojects from the bottom or other suitabl point of the crucible into themolten mass.

4 In the case of heating by gas burners, these are arranged inside oroutside the crucible or the like.

The cooling of solid under treatment may be effected by removing all theheat in an accelerated, normal or slowed-down manner, and may berealized if necessary by application of suitable cooling media.

Another method of centrifugal treatment involves a loading member whichmay be placed, if

desired, on the molten solid thus assisting the centrifugal force incompacting the solid under treatment. This loading member, which ispreferably of lower specific weight than the solid under treatment, willbe a solid, which has a higher melting point than the temperature usedduring treatment, and be made of metal, stone, or ceramic material or acombination of both. The loading member may, in certain cases, be fittedinto the crucible or the like loosely, so that a space is formed betweenit and the inner wall of the crucible or the like, so as to allow asmall quantity of the solid under treatment to pass through the space inquestion. The material passing through the space constitutes waste, butin spite of this the waste which occurs with this method is considerablylower than that which occurs with ordinary casting processes.

It is observed that whilst in connection with ordinary castingconsiderable waste occurs at both ends, the waste which occurs by thepresent method will be practically nil at the outer end and almostnegligible at the inner end.

Another method of centrifugal treatment consists in having, if desiredthe crucible or mould or the like closed at the inner end (nearest tovthe axis of rotation) in'which case one or morepouring gates may beprovided at this end; the gate or gates extend a suflicient distanceupwardly so that they and the crucible or the like will be filledcompletely with molten material when subjected to the ICF. By theprovision of the pouring gates the head of molten material in thecrucible or the like is increased so that when the crucible is rotatedthe surface of material adjacent to the inner end of the crucible isalso subjected to compression or pressure by centrifugal force. It willthus be seen that the longer the pouring gate or gates, the greater willbe the weight of the head and consequently the greater the eifect ofcentrifugal force.

The receiver or the like may be of any suitable cross-section accordingto the shape of the article to be produced.

The attached drawings show, by way of example, some of thevarious-diagrammatical embodiments of this method and the devices towhich this method can be applied.

Fig. l is an elevational view of an apparatus for carrying out themethod, according to this invention, showing the shaft I rotated bymeans of a wheel 28; attached to'the said shaft, an arm 2 on the end ofwhich the pivoted axle 4 is fixed,

and on which a casing or crucible is pivotally mounted, and thecounterweight 3. is placed in the container 29.

Fig. 2 is a top plane view of Fig. 1, partly in horizontal section.

Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical views of a casing B pivoting on the axle 4which is part of the arm 2 and a crucible 5 in which the molten solid 1is placed. The crucibles 5 are of different shapes and filled withdiiferent melted material I. Between the casing and the crucible thereare insulating layers or walls 8 preventing rapid transmission of heat.v

Fig. 5 is a cross section of a container 6 attached to the arm 2 inwhich the molten solid lis poured, and an additional weight 9 is placedon top to increase the ICF. l is the insulating material. The insulatingmaterial may be at the same time a means which will facilitate theremoval of the already cooled solid, for which purpose it may becrushable.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section view of another form of the casing forcarrying out this invention, in which a crucible or a mould 5 is put.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view, partly in vertical section of a casing 6containing another crucible or container $5, with insulating walls 3,the container 5 being provided with heating electrodes l and II.

Fig. 8 is a radial section of a container provided with. the pouringgate l through which the molten solid .1 is poured into the mouldincluding the pouring gate l5, and which latter material is indicated byl3 and may be considered as waste. It are the bolts, or other means,which hold the two parts of the container together. This container maythen be put into another casing to be submitted to the ICF.

Fig. 9 is a casing or a mould l6 for production of crank shafts I!having a pouring gate, and the material contained in the pouring gate isl3. Between the mould and the crank shaft may be introduced aninsulating and/or crushable layer 1 8. This layer is shown partly only.

Fig. 10 is an apparatus especially intended for production of preciousstones. 23 is the casing pivotally attached at the rotating arm 2. 8 isthe first inner insulating case; 24 is the second inner insulating case;32 is the precious stone. 33 is the negative pole of the electriccurrent placed below the precious stone 32 and 34 is the positiveelectric pole placed at the top of the precious stone 32, and whichduring the rotation moves and presses under the influence of ICE againstthe molten stone 32. 35 is the additional weight on the positive pole 34to increase the pressure. I 8 and I9 are the arrangements for,conducting the positive and negative currents whilst the shaft l isrotated.

Figs. 11 and 12 represent special rotating cases 26 for manufacturing inbulk optical lenses or any other glasses. means of the shaft I. Themolten glass 36 or the like is introduced when the casing 26 is atstandstill and when rotated is poured automatically into the forms ormoulds 21 which are cut out in the container 26. These moulds may be, ifnecessary, lined by special insulating material or metal 3|. 3| may alsobe a separate inner mould to be put into each of the moulds of thecontainer. which will facilitate the removal of the glasses.

Fig. '13 is a plan view of a two-parts mould 45 for making solidpropellers 46. The two parts meter.

This case 26 is rotated by 3| may be madeof any substance 45 areattached to each other by means of screws, I

or any other means 41.

Fig. 14 is across section view, corresponding to Fig. 13, of a mould 49for making hollow propellers 48. The two parts of the mould 49 areattached to each other by any connecting means 50. In the mould isintroduced a core 5| which must correspond to the inside hollow of thepropeller and which may be made of such material that it may be takenout after the propeller is cast. 52 are the chaplets to keep the core 5|in the right position relative to the moulds 49.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view of a mold ele. ment for the manufacture ofa propeller blade according to the present invention.

to Fig. 15.

Fig. 1? represents by way of example a diagram, in which Pm. thepressure created by ICF, is expressed in kilograms per square centi- R(the radius of the rotation, or the distance between the nearest surfaceof the treat ed solid and the axis of rotation) is regarded as constantand is equal'to 220 cm. H is the length of the solid and in the example,is assumed to be equal to 30 cm. G is the specific density of thetreated material, which in the example is assumed to be 7.5 (theapproximate density of ordinary cast steel). The axis Pici shows thepressures in kg./cm.'*, from 100 to 800. The lines marked 100 REV, 200REV, 300 REV, 400 REV, 500 REV, 600 REV, 700 REV, 800 REV, 900 REV, 1000REV, 2000 REV, and 3000 REV, represent the revolutions per minute of thetreated solid. It is easily seen from the diagram that, for in stance,at 1000 REV the treated solid 'l-at the point farthest away from theaxis of rotation is compressed with 630 kg./cm. at 10 cm. lower- 420kg.; at cm. lower2l0 kg. This is given only by way of example andapproximately.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic radial sectional view of a pivotable mould formanufacturing of cylinders, pistons, and the like.

'Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional view of Fig. 18, taken on the lineMM.

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the ,Fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a vertical section of a rotatable container including a mouldfor manufacturing twin-cylinders in line, adapted to undergo acentrifugal treatment about its own axis.

Fig. 22 is a vertical section of a container including a mould formanufacturing of pistons.

Fig. 23 is a horizontal section on the line MN of Fig. 22.

It is known that by centrifugal casting, better tubes are obtained thanby the ordinary method.

It is well known that cylinders and pistons very soon become oval 'bywear-after which time the compression becomes defective, oil consumptiontoo high and so forth. The general average engine 'for automobiles,motorcycles,

boats, and so forth, has cylinders with a diameter from 2 to 7 inches.son, manufacturers of tubes and/or cylinders For this particularreaapplied thereto by the ICF, and only the exterior 16 Fig. 16 is across sectional view corresponding surface has the maximum pressureapplied thereto. Hence it is easily seen that such a method produces animprovement of the material, but at the wrong place, asthe workingsurface'of a cylinder is the inner one, and not the outer one. It mayalso be pointed out that as the wall thickness is generallyabout to 1inch it is practically impossible to obtain considerable pressures evenon the outer surface.

Just the contrary is offered by'this invention. For producing thecylinder the molten material is placed in a mould having the shape ofthe required cylinder. For this purpose there is used a main cylindermould (m-c mould), the inner diameter of which m-c mould is equal to theouter diameter of the cylinder to be obtained. Into the m-c mould thereis then placed a core, the outer diameter of which is equal to the innerdiameter of the cylinder to be obtained, the core being spaced from .thebottom of the mould. When the m-c mould, containing the core, has beenfilled with the molten material, this m-c mould is placed in a receiver,with its closed bottom end .on the bottom of the receiver. This receiveris pivotally attached to an arm, which arm is attached radially to arotary shaft.

According to the present invention the mould is not rotated around itsown axis, but around an axis which is substantially at right angles tothe longitudinal axis of the m-c mould, at the required radius ofrotation (R exterior) and preferably the axle of rotation should beexterior to the mold or at least exterior to the inner surface of themold, i. e. exterior to the material to be treated therein. By thismeans, it is easy to apply any required ICF and any required pressurePicf. I

Observing now the result obtained in manufacturing' the cylinder asdescribed, according to this invention, it may be remarked that thecylinder 50 obtained will, atany point thereof, have the same pressure(Pm) applied on its inner and outer surfaces. This pressure willincrease up to the maximum, at the bottom of the m-c mould, which bottomis the cylinder head, treated at the exterior radius (Rext) relativelyto the axis of rotation. These pressures diminish proportionally andbecame equal to zero at the top of the m-c mould treated at the innerradius of rotation (Rint).

When such cylinder after machining and polishing is to be put in anengine, it must be so placed that its head (Rext, Pici' max.) will bethe compression chamber.

The same method is aplied when manufacturing any other tubular member.

According to this invention, the manufacture of cylinders, pistons,layers and the like, may

be carried out in any suitable container.

The said mould or the like may itself be directly attachable pivotallyon the arm fixed on the rotary'shait, provided that it is capable ofresisting. Otherwise, the said mould is placed on the bott'om of areceiver, and the receiver rotated as above described. A number ofmoulds or containers or the like'may be placed in the same receiver. 1

In the Figures 18, 19, 20, I have shown a special receiver mould whichconsists of 53 a pivoting axis, of 54 thecontainer or mould; 55 and 56are the core segments between which the segment 51 is introduced, sothat it can easily be removed after treatment. To the segments core 55and 56 loops are attached. 58 is a pouring gate. 66 is the axis ofrotation around which the entire mould is rotated. R'mz and Rm are thedistances from the axis of rotation to the material which is tobetreated. The material to be treated is 6| which has the form of acylinder. 62 is a link which keeps together the three parts of the core55, 56, 51. 92 is the insulating materialsand, etc. 65 are the openingsfor allowing the outlet of the gases and air having the same height as58, but their upper parts are not shown. 63 are the articulations whichpermit the two parts of the' mould to be separated. 64 is a screw toclamp the two parts of the receivermould together.

In the Figure 21 66 is the upper part of the container or mould and 61is the lower part of the container, both parts being lined with in-'sulating material 92. 68 is a pouring gate going co-axial with the axisof rotation. 69 are the screws for attaching the two parts of the mouldtogether. 10 is a twin-cylinder in line to be obtained. 1! is the axisof rotation of the said receiver. 12 is a bearing of the upper part ofthe receiver. 13 is the upper part of 66 forming at the same'time anaxle. 14 is a lower part of 61 forming an axle, on which the wheel 15 ismounted to be connected with the motor force. 16 is the bearing in which14 turns. 11 and 18 are the core segments between which two intermediatesegments, of ,the core 19 and are introduced. 9! is an additional weightfor increasing the pressure in the pouring gate.

In Figures 22 and 23 an arrangement to illustrate the application ofthis method is specially adapted for making pistons, where 8| is themould consisting of two similar parts, 82 and s83 are core segments and84 is the intermediate core between 82 and 83. 85 is the ring forkeeping together the three cores. 86 is the articulation element. 81 arethe holes for the screws or some other means to keep the two partstogether. 88 is the cast piston. 89 is the axis of rotation around whichthe whole mould moves. k This invention is also applicable to thecasting of guns having parallel thickness or such which are reduced inwall thickness from thebreech to the muzzle, or vice-versa. For castingsuch a gun, the breach of it is farthest removed from the axis ofrotation.

The invention is also applicable for casting propellers or propellerblades, specially for aircraft and marine use, as the propeller orpropeller blades may be cast under the same action of centrifugalforceunder which they will be used, that is to say, the propeller orpropeller blades, during casting, is rotated at the average speed atwhich, approximately, it may rotate when in use (or a number of timesthat speed) for resonance purposes. In this manner, the fibres of thestructure are caused to be directed in the required direction forwithstanding the stresses to which the blades will be subjected when inuse.

A propeller may be cast completely as a unit of two or more blades and aboss, or separate blades may be cast, or each blade cast intwo or moreportions which are subsequently welded or assembled by any known means(bolts, screws, 'etc.).

In the casting of a complete propeller, the boss is located at themiddle and the mould rotated around the boss. Suitable cores areprovided for making hollow blades.

For casting a blade in two separate portions, there is formed a castingof one half of a hollow blade. the division being taken along a planeforming the blades, it will be understood that the passing through theleading and trailing. of the blade.

In casting blades or two separate portions for edges tip of the blademust be at the point farthest from the axis of rotation (or vice-verseif the thickness of the blade is anti-proportional to the.

eflforts) so that the blades or blade portions fare cast undersubstantially the same conditions;{'as those in which they will be used,and consequently will be exposed substantially to the same vibrations orstresses or in resonance to them.

' bubbles, vacuum, without any flaws, etc.

For this purpose, an electric furnace, which is itself a crucible, orincludes a crucible, is used. There will now be described my way ofexample a method of producing precious stones. H

The stone, for instance sapphire, etc., in the form of dust, or ofsmallstones, or of a chemical composition, is placed in a crucible, made froma material which only melts at a temperature higher than the highesttemperature used during treatment. This crucible may be enclosed in atleast one receiver of heat insulating material, such as asbestos,fireproof stone, magnesia, charbon or mixtures of these materials. Thereceiver is then placed into a very strong container, preferably ofsteel having high resistance, and this container is submitted torotation after its contents have been melted.

The inner dimension of the crucible itself may be, for instance, 20millimeters high and 10 millimeters internal diameter, if it is desiredto obtain a stone 10 millimeters in diameter and about the same height.Generally the crucible is at least twice as high as its internaldiameter, as this is necessary when using the material contained in thecrucible as the weight producing pressure.

The heat is produced by means of two electrodes, one of which may be,for instance, introduced through the upper part of the crucible andhaving more or less the same dimension, if desirable, as the diameter ofthe crucible. This electrode may even touch the material tobe melted, orit may be provided with a spring arrangement to press it against thematerial, or it may be fixed, or it may be pressed against the materialby the ICF. The other electrode is connected with the lower part of thecrucible.

The cooling under the ICE of precious stones and some types of glass,must sometimes extend over many hours and even days.

Another application of my invention is in the manufacture of differentglasses and particularly optical glasses for microscopes, telescopes,cameras, mirrors, prisms etc., etc. It is known that in this industryconsiderable difficulties are met with in eliminating from the moltenmass of glass substances or the like, the so-called glass bubbles, oftenmicroscopically small, caused by gas, air or impurities. etc., and alsoin eliminating all other irregularities. This invention eliminates allirregularities and enables perfect material to be obtained; furthermore,the materials (glass,

aaoaaso under treatment. By this means, the molecules or crystals whichhave been placed in good order under the ICF, are,caused to reflect ortransmit beams of light in an entirely new manner, and, therefore, ifthey are polished at a certain angle to their radius of rotation, theymay offer the said polarisation effect as well as new reflectingcharacteristics.

In the case of water cooling, the water is supplied continuously throughan appropriate device near, or around, the shaft and then forced throughtubes or the like to the parts of the furnace, mould, receiver, or thelike, to be cooled; and after passing the surfaces to be cooled, thewater is then conducted to an outlet and rejected by the ICF. Theefiiciency of the circulation of water (which also means efliciency incooling) may be controlled either by the cross-sections of the inlet andoutlet, or'the pressure in the supply pipe, or by the outlet beingplaced nearer or farther from the axis of rotation; the nearer it isplaced to. the axis of rotation, the slower will be the circulation ofwater.

The said appropriate device for connecting the rotating tubes or thelike to the stationary supply pipe, may consist of a disc which is rigidand hav-' ing a circular channel to which the water supply pipe isconnected, and a-second disc, which is fixed to the shaft and connectedwith the circulation tube or the like; the surface of the discstouchingtightly and the circular channels covering each othersubstantially. A similar device may be provided at the water'outlet.

An example will now be given to illustrate the variations of REV (speedof rotation), time and temperature which are possible when treating asolid under the ICF according to this method:

Assuming- A=Treatment of the material underthe ICF whilst in moltenstate B= Ireatment of the material whilst molten state, without the ICFAB=Treatment of the material whilst in molten state, partly with theICE. and partly without C=Solidification including cooling down to roomtemperature, under the ICF D=Solidification including cooling down toroom temperature, without the ICF CD=Solidification including coolingdown to room temperature, partly with the ICF and partly withoutE=-Ageing of the material (after cooling) under the ICF, and

-t=-The temperature of the material under treatment (t1500 being atemperature of 1500 centigrade) T=The time during which the ICF is applied (Tl7 =17 seconds) REV=The number of revolutions per minute (REV0:0 revolutions=a rest, whilst REV 100/2000 meansfrom 100 revolutionsup.

up to 2000 revolutions)--Now, by way of examplethis will mean that thematerial is under ICE in molten state at 1000 revolutions per minute, ata temperature of 1430, during 5 seconds; followed by a rest of 120seconds at the same temperature (1430); then cooled from 1430 down to1200 under the ICF at 1200 revolutions per minute, which speed is thenincreased to 2050 and at the same time the temperature is decreasedprogressively from 1200 to 20, within a time of 700 seconds; finallyaged during 7000 seconds at 2050 revolutions per minute at 20.

The foregoing is only one example, and all reasonable variations arewithin the present invention.

Another aspect of this invention is to carry out the rotation partly inone direction, and partly in the reverse direction (REV) and (REV).

According to another aspect of this invention, mechanical vibrations Vmay be applied to the solid under treatment, either by applying V to theshaft supporting the arm, to the arm supporting the crucible, or thecrucible itself (or by the furnace, mould or the like), so that whensuch a device is rotating, it receives periodically or otherwise, one ormore shocks or vibrations, or

a each other.

The application of two simultaneously applied centrifugal forces, asdescribed, in two different directions, may be understood by thefollowing: Imagine that a big cube is submitted to ICF, on the one side(a side approximately perpendicular to the radius of rotation) of whicha man is hanging by his hands and his feet are hanging down along theside surface of the cube, and the centrifugal forces draw him towardsthe bottom of the cube. If the man has sufficient force, he can remaintaut, continuing to hang. The same is true in regard to the solidtreated under ICF, if instead of a man, we imagine a crystal or moleculeor the like of the said material. Now imagine that our man hanging onthe cube is at the same time not only drawn towards the bottom of thiscube, but also another force will push his hands and his body sidewaysor horizontally or perpendicularly to the direction.

Then our man could no longer maintain his position, but would occupy theplace in which he will be able to remain resisting both of the saidforces. In the example of. the solid,'the same will happen when thecrystals, molecules, and the like, will under the simultaneousapplication of (Plant and (Picf)c occupy such a place where furthercompacting or compressing is no longer possible, under the givenconditions.

This example shows that this method of application of two centrifugalforces simultaneously applied, is not only an invention which can beused-for the particular applicati was described before, but also couldbe applied or many other chemical and medical applications.

Of course, it isalso possible to apply centrifugal forces on threedifferent planes.

The method of treating solids under the ICF produces a pressure insidethe structure of the solid itself, and this pressure which has beenapplied while the solid was in a molten state or during solidification,is after the material has become solid, kept in the form of a potentialor dormant pressure (which will be called ZW), and the greater thepressure that has been applied by the ICF', and the longer itsapplication, the greater will be the potential or dormant pressureretained within the solid after solidification.

For the convenience of the further description of this invention, thefollowing abbreviations will be used: PM Pressure created by the actionof ICE (when its amount is indicated in this Specification, it ismeasured in kg./cm. at a distance equal to (R+1) cm. If the radialthickness of the material h is greater than 1 cm., there exists really asurface at a distance of (R+1) cm.; if h is smaller than 1 cm., thepressure will still be measured at the same distance, but on animaginary surface.

onds.

treatment. Number of calories supplied and/or lost for the maintenanceof the material under the ICE in molten state and until solidificationbegins.

--'I'ime during which Qtm is supplied and/or lost.

by the material whilst it becomes solid and reaches the temperature of20- *:20 0. (room temperature).

-Time during which Qt; is lost by the material under treatment, underthe ICF.

Time of ageing under the ICF.

Radius measured from the axis of rotation to the inner surface 01" thetreated material, the inner surface being the surface nearest to theaxis of rotation.

Radius measured from the axis of rotation to an imaginary surfacelocated 1 cm. below the inner surface of the material.

A pressure Pici' applied during a certain time. Therefore, grid ismeasured in kg. sec.

(R+1) cm.

pid

The amount of pid during Tm only while the material is molten. Theamount of pid during solidifying T5 only. The amount of pid: duringageing (time Ta). The energy which is incorporated in the treatedmaterial in a form of a potentially kept quantity of pid.

-,-A potentially incorporated quantity of pid during a period of timeTm;

pidm

pid's ZWm Temperature of the material under- Number of calories whichare lost" ZWS -A potentially incorporated quantity of pid during aperiod of time Ts, following after the material has been provided withZWm and until complete solidification of the material is reached (periodof time T5).

: ----An a: part of ZW, (periodof time -An 1: part of the T,,,.

%' An z part of the T,.

3 I An :1: part of the Pid,.

Ts.y or Pids.y-AI1 1! times of the Ts or the Pidl- When making use ofcontainers pivoted on the rotating arm or the like, and when usingdifferent speeds of rotation, it is clear that each speed will move thecontainer or the like into the angular position corresponding to theparticular speed of rotation, that is in the direction of the resultantforce-line. The centifugal forces, which have a definite direction, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of rotation, remain in this direction whenthe speed of revolution is modified, so that the molten materialchanging its direction on account of the charge of the speed ofrotation, will be submitted to the said action of the ICF underdifferent attacking angles.

It is clear that when the ,solid is in a molten state (Tm) and duringpart of the solidification stopped at an appropriate moment duringsolidification.

Instead of changing the attack angle of the centrifugal forces by meansof changing the speed of rotation, the same result can be obtained bydevices controlling the inclination of the mould or the like, withregard to the axis of rotation. For-this purpose, very simple mechanicalor electro-mechanical devices may be provided, or more complicatedarrangements may be made for sliding or rolling the moulds or the like,on guideways or guide surfaces.

Such devices are also necessary when it is desired to treat the solid tostraight horizontal force lines'. As it is preferred that the shaft towhich is keyed the arm carrying the pivoting mould or the like bevertical, it is clear that such mould or the like could not under anyspeed of rotation take a straight horizontal position, as its owngravity will act against the centrifugal forces.

In casethe mould or the like is not able to attain the desirableposition (with a view to the desirable attack angle of the centrifugalforces) at the speeds of revolution prescribed for the particulartreatment, than an additional weight can be attached to the bottom partof the mould or the like excentrically to its axis; if such additionalweight is placed farther from the axis of rotation, the attack anglewill be reduced; if nearer to the axis of rotation. the attack anglewill be increased, allowing even a position of r 180, i. e.,perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

In case of voluntarily'changing the attack angles, it becomes sometimesnecessary to provide closing devices in order to prevent the materialfrom pouring out as the mould changes its position. Such closing devicesare preferably made in the form of a stopper made of a material themelting point of which is higher than the melting point of the solidunder treatment.

. This stopper closes the top of the mould'or the like, and, ifnecessary, may be pressed against the surface of the solid undertreatment by any mechanical means, or by springs, counterweights, andthe like. This stopper may be, at the'same time,'a loadingmember asdescribed before.

Proceeding with the question of attack angles, it is sometimesimportant, for the purpose of obtaining hardness, high tensile stress,utmostpolishing capacities and fine grain character, to maintainsubstantially the same speed of rotathe last part of (Tm), suchsolidification (Tl) following directly after (Tm), so that the attackingangles of the centrifugal forces will not be changed beforesolidification of the solid under treatment. Very good results are'soobtained, and this wasnot known until the present, be-

, cause the change of the force-lines or centrifugal forces in relationto the particles (such as molecules) of the treated material has notbeen taken into consideration previously. Instead 0f'(T|), L

only may be employed.

Another advantageous form of this method of treatment, according to thisinvention, is that the moulds or the like, when they are pivotallyattached to the arm of a drum or any other rotary member, are so madethat their axle of pivoting is placed as near as possible to theircenter of gravity when filled with the molten solid, which will thenallow the torque of the force (provided by the weight of'the mould plusmolten solid) to be as small as possible, and, therefore, when suchmolds or the like are pivoted by the action of the ICF, the attackingangle of the centrifugal forces will change much less in degree. It issuflicient to have the geometrical axis of pivoting of such moulds orthe like, only a few millimeters above their respective center ofgravity. The said moulds" or the like may be provided with means foradjusting the position I of the center of gravity thereof.

As to the choice of Blcf, which action on the innerstructure of thesolid provides the characteristics as above described, it is necessaryto ,tion (REV) during (Ts) as was applied during 25 use Picf (measuredat (R+1)cm. as explained) Time Tm' must be between and seconds at least,and it is always preferable to increase it as much as economically andtechnically possible within certain limits as hereinafter set forth aseach increase of time renders the structure of the solid more orderly,more compact, more compressed; e. g. it eliminates also the smallestbubbles, free spaces, unnecessary gases and so forth, which require acertain time to. travel through the molten mass to the outside thereof,as they must do so under considerable pressure which is produced by theaction of the ICF. Tm depends substantially upon theradial thickness andthe shape of the body to be made.

This invention recommends increasing Tm and this must not bemisunderstood because after a certain time Tm maximum it must not becontinued, as otherwise unnecessary energy is lost. Certain materials,such as iron, steel, metal alloys generally, do not require Tm forradial thickness of about 10 cm. any longer than -300 seconds forproviding the maximum phenomena in the inner conception of the sotreated solid.

During the time Tm the temperature must be so maintained, by any knownmeans, that the molten mass of solid is capable of remaining in themolten state.

In some cases, it is sufl'lcient to overheat the molten material beforesubmitting to Tm so that such over-heated material will contain thenecessary amount of Qtm calories, which amount of calories it will loseduring the time Tin. This method may be very economical if moulds or thelike are provided with insulating means, so that the Qtm will besuflicient to maintain the material in a molten state during all thetime Tm. Generally speaking, each solid may be overheated about A of itsmelting point in degrees centigrade, provided that it is not decomposed(as may happen with certain alloys).

Overheating of the solid may be combined with heating of the crucible,mould or the like (e. g. electrically'or by any gas burner), or notoverheated material may be charged into such a heated mould, or crucibleor the like. The heatable crucibles, moulds or the like may also beprovided with insulating means.

Special care must be taken with moulds, according to this invention,when the bodies to be treated have different thicknesses in differentparts. Where the thickness is wide, for instance greater than 2 cm., thematerial poured in will conserve its heat longer than where thethickness is only a few millimeters. Therefore moulds and the like/forthis invention, must be provided if and where necessary with heatingmeanselectrical or otherwise-and/or insulating means,

vention. Even if the moulds had beenpreviously heated, the heat was notsufficient for keeping the material in a molten state even during theminimum amount of Tm required as claimed in this invention.

In the glass industries for making, for instance, glasses, lenses, andthe like, it is easy to keep Tm as long as desirable, because themelting point of make the containers, mould or the like, of a very goodheat conductor in order to mg.

In some cases, the material just from the moment when it begins tosolidify, is solidified by ordinary cooling without the ICF (T8=0). Thematerial so treated acquires some new characteristics, as its structurehas been put in perfect order and all its particles compressed andcompacted by the ICF during Tm.

T5 if not zero, may be any period of time from, for instance, one secondup to several hours and even several days. Different results areobtained when, instead of the whole of Ts, only a fraction thereof isemployed for applying the ICF. For instance, when steel after Tmistreated under the "ICF during accelerate cool- "=250 seconds and thissteel is different from another treated for the full time of T5 (forexample 10,000 seconds are necessary to reach the room temperature) anddifferent from another steel treated during an increased T8=(T8']l)=1.5T8 or 3T8 and so on.

Iron, for example, is molten at about 1,500 C., and has already partlysolidified (has acquired plastic condition) at about 900 C., but at thistemperature it is too soft and cannot retain the incorporated pressureimparted by the ICF. Therefore, even such materials as iron, steel,metal alloys, or the like, must for some purposes be solidified underthe action of the centrifugal forces at least until reaching 40 C. andpreferably the ordinary temperature (20 C. 1' '20 C.), when they will beemployed or further treated.

The choice of Ts is very delicate in the case of glass and preciousstones manufacture, according to this invention; some stones requirethat immediately after Tm, the Ts will be small, and that the stone orglass is then cooled in the ordinary way and during a very long periodof time. Others require that I =2,000 seconds, i

will be stoppedat about the moment when the temperature will become solong that the material is solid but still less hard, as compared to itsnormal hardness.

When ageing under the ICF (Ta) is required to.

In order to give an idea of the importance of the main features, thefollowing figures are stated as role. for the general treatment underthe ICE of metals and metal alloys.

For a radial thickness-h less than 1 cm., the time Tm must not be lessthan seconds, and the PM (pressure measured at a distance (n+1) cm.ii-om the axis of rotation) must not be less than (one fourth) of thespecific density a in l./Bm. The time Ts must not be less than 180seconds.

For it between 2 cm. and 3 cm, Tm must not be less than 7 seconds, Pmnot less that i kg/cmfi, and T5 not less than 300 to 600 seconds.proportionate to the thickness.

For it between 3 cm. and d cm. Tm must not be less than secondsPnr notless than V4. 1 lrg/cmfi, and T5 not less than 600 to 800 secondsproportionate to the thickness.

For it between 4 cm. and 5 cm., Tm mustnot be less than 12 seconds, Pic!not less than V 9 ken/ch13, and Ta not less than 800 seconds.

For it between 5 cm. and 7 cm., Tm. must not he lms than 14 seconds,Pic! not less than y i kg/cmfi, and Ta not less than 900seconds.

For it between 7 cm. and 10 cm.. Tm must not be less than it seconds, PMnot less than V i Rg/cmfi, and TB not less than 1,200 seconds. 7

For k between 10 cm. and 30 cm., Tm must not be less than seconds, Pic!not-less than 9' kg./cm. and T5 not less than 1,200 to 2,400 secondsproportionate to the thickness.

For it between cm. and cm., Tm must not be less than 20 seconds, Plotnot less than V 9 kgJcmfi, and T8 not less than 2,400 seconds.

Fbr it over 50 cm., Tm must not be less than 25 seconds, Pic! not lessthan $41 i ks-Icmfi, and

Ts not less than 2,400 secs.

Ins

or 'n,

only, that is when the action of the ICF has ceased at a stage when thesolid just begins to solidify or is ina pasty state or red-hot, and soforth, and the remainder of solidification carried out without the ICF,the material so obtained will ofier new characteristics on account ofits having been ordered and compacted by the ICF during Tm, and whilstit will not be able to retain the total amount of Pld, it will, however,not lose the homogeneous structure imparted by the ICF.

Many metals treated with an appropriate J leability, high elongation,better tensile stress,

' sometimes also better hardness.

is a very interesting feature especially for solids to be worked. Thesolidification may, in that case, be completed under ordinary conditionswithout the ICF and the material worked later on; or the material isimmediately passed on to a rolling mill, or presses, for instance,where-it will be worked with a facility unknown hitherto. In both casesthe solid may finally be heat-treated and/or hardened in theordinary-ways.

For treating precious stones, sapphires, emeralds, etc., of about 1 cm.in diameter, the Tm may be very small-3 to 5 seconds, but the maximumpressures are recommended to be very high-Pm substantially about 17kgJcmP. If smaller pressure is used, then the Tm is recommended to belonger, with a view to obtaining the most homogeneous nature of theprecious stone.

For erent' plastic materials the melting points of which are generallyvery low, Tm may be as short as the minima fixed for metals; Par alsothe same as for metals, and TB established according to practice.

There is no doubt that a solid containing 35 kg'. sec. mdmm cm.

and

355 kg. see.

will be difl'erent from a solid of the same chemical composition andcontaining 200 kg. sec. cm. and

200 kg. sec. 1 and so forth.

Another aspect of this invention consists in a method subjecting thematerial to the ICF under the regulation of the correspondingdeterminations of amounts of the Pidm and Pids or It has been explainedthat Pida and PM are measured in kg. sec.

and this at a distance of one centimeter below the inner surface oi'thetreated material. In reality the Pie! is growing with the growing of thedistance from the center of rotation.

Pm, at the distance of (R +2) cm. is bigger than P101 at the distance of(R+1) cm., etc. Therefore Pidm is bigger than Pidm measured accordinglyat (R+2) cm. and at (R+1) cm. distance. For the convenience of theinterpretation of this invention the general total of the Pidm and ofPidl or Pid.

27 incorporated during the T or respectively during the I'- or in thewhole mass of the treated material may be designed by the integral ofPtd, i. e.,

f Pid,., or f PM or f P In order to convert, after its manufacturing, 1.e.. after cooling down to a suitable or even room temperature, anon-homogeneous material may be easily converted, according to anotheraspect of this invention, into a homogeneous material (speaking in thesaid sense) and this can be done by reheating or annealing this materialto a temperature at which the material does not lose its plasticcondition and still keeps in totality or in part the better structuralproperties acquired during the previous treatment under the ICF.

Such reheating or annealing will transform the non-homogeneous materialinto a homogeneous one (speaking in the said sense) and this method isextremely important especially for the treatment of metals and metalalloys.

. Although certain forms of the present invention have been described inthe application by way of illustration, it will be understood that theseare not intended to limit the invention either in respect of the methodused or in respect of the solid materials and articles so treated orsoobtained.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of. my saidinvention and in what manner the same j is to be performed, I declarethat what I claim is:

1. A method of treating and manufacturing solid fusible material of thecharacter referred to by subjecting it to theinfluence of centrifugalforce, which comprises subjecting a mold or the like containing thematerial in a molten state ,to the influence of centrifugal force byrotating the mold and the material contained therein g0 about an axisexterior to the mold for a period of time during which the treatedmaterial is in molten state, which period is substantially equal to atleast five seconds for the radial thickness of the first centimeter ofthe said material under treatment, plus at least for two secondsfor eachadditional centimeter of radial thickness up to the point where the samethickness substantially reaches ten centimeters, and not taking inconsideration any radial thickness in excess of ten 4 centimeters, thecentrifugal force being suiiicient lygreat and which speed of rotationis sumciently great to create in the interior of the material at thedistance of one centimeter from'the surface thereof nearest the axis ofrotation, a pressure which is not less than one-fourth the specificgravity of the material expressed in kilogramper-square-centimeter, andthereafter permitting the material in the mold to cool while continuinguninterruptedly the rotation of the mold and wam thereby continuing theinfluence of said centrifugal force on the material during the coolingthereof until said material has at least cooled sufficiently to beincapable of flowing.

2. A method of treating and manufacturing solid fusible material of thecharacter referred to by subjecting it to the influence of centrifugalforce, which comprises subjecting a mold or the like containing thematerial in a molten state to the influence of centrifugal force byrotating the mold and the material contained therein about an axisexterior to the mold for a period of time during which the treatedmaterial is in molten state, which period is substantially equal to atleast five seconds for the radial thickness of the first centimeter ofthe said material under treatment, plus at least for two seconds foreach additional centimeter of'radial thickness up to the point where thesame thickness substantially reaches ten centimeters, and not taking inconsideration any radial thickness in excess of ten centimeters, thecentrifugal force being sufllciently great and which speed of rotationis sufficiently great to create in the interior of the material at thedistance of one centimeter from the surface thereof nearest the axis ofrotation, a pressure which is not less than one-fourth the specificgravity of the material expressed in kilogramper-square-centimeter, andthereafter permitting the material in the mold to cool while continuinguninterruptedly the rotation of the mold and thereby continuing theinfluence of said centrifugal force on the material during the coolingthereof until the material is cooled down to not less than the roomtemperature.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mold is rotated at agreater speed during the cooling of material than whentreating thematerial in its molten state.

'4. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material treated ismetal.

v 5, A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material treated isglass.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mold 'or the like orthe material contained therein are subjected to successive shocks duringthe rotation thereof.

7. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein p the melted fusiblematerial is heated to such a temperature prior to the beginning of therotation of the mold that the material remains in the molten stateduring said period of time, without additional heating of themold or thelike or the material during the rotation thereof.

8. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mold is rotatedsimultaneously about two different axes birth of which are exterior ofthe mold.

GEORGE A. RU'BISSOW.

